The Youth Power and Safety Collective is a citywide collaboration of youth-led and youth-serving organizations to build a DC where youth are safe, powerful, and free. The Collective is led by a core group of organizations, including Anti-Racist DC, Black Swan Academy, Critical Exposure, DC Girls Coalition, DC Action, EmpowerEd, Life Reign, and United Leaders 4 Freedom. We collaborate with a broad network of youth organizations, legal advocates, and community groups committed to protecting and expanding youth power in Washington, DC.
Current Activities and Upcoming Events
Request a Know Your Rights Training
Training
Request a Know Your Rights Training
DC’s 2nd Annual Racial Justice Summit & Festival
Event
DC’s 2nd Annual Racial Justice Summit & Festival
Monday, October 12, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The Wharf Dockmaster Building + Pier
Background
In August 2025, after the Trump Administration announced plans to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department, concerns grew regarding the potential targeting of Black and Brown youth by law enforcement. In response, local organizers brought together youth organizers, community organizations, and advocates from across the city to develop a coordinated strategy. More than 300 community members joined the first citywide Youth Safety Strategy Call, committing to collective action in support of Black and Brown youth during a period of heightened federal law enforcement presence, National Guard deployment, and increased local policing. We gathered over 90 youth at a summit to gather ideas, demands, and thoughts about what they considered important.
Together, organizations across DC identified five shared priorities:
Safe and Joyful Spaces
Where young people can gather, learn, and build community.
Know Your Rights
Education and broad distribution of youth-centered legal resources.
Mutual Aid
To help meet the immediate needs of young people.
Youth-led Organizing and Policy Advocacy
To advance long-term systems change at both the local and federal levels.
Safe Passage and Cop Watch
Efforts to reduce harmful interactions between youth and law enforcement.
Since that initial convening, collective members have worked together to plan, coordinate, and mobilize youth and adult allies across the District in support of these priorities.
Collective Members
